Veteran Wilkes-Barre police officer Chris Benson now has two major allies and admirers in the department — his son, Joe, and daughter, Melissa.
The siblings say they always respected their father’s service over his 15 years and decided to join him on the job. Joe Benson, 30, joined Wilkes-Barre police in 2019, while Melissa Benson, 29, started in December.
Melissa Benson serves on her father’s platoon, while Joe Benson was on his dad’s platoon the prior two years.
“You worry about them a little bit. You have fatherly instincts, but you have to let them do their thing because I’m not always going to be there. But I have confidence in both of them,” Chris Benson said.
The Benson men have worked together many times, though, on the “On Patrol Live” show on the Reelz Channel that documents the work of the city police force for a national audience.
Producers have asked them to partner for the show Saturday night to celebrate Father’s Day.
“Every now and then they want to put us on together. I guess it’s good TV, a father and son,” Chris Benson said. “They requested it this week for Father’s Day, so we’re going to do it Saturday night.”
Joe Benson said he’s excited to work alongside his father this weekend for the world to see.
“As far as On Patrol Live, I have had the chance to work with him. It’s a very unique opportunity to work with your dad on a national television show. I think it’s a cool opportunity to work with my dad on Father’s Day weekend,” Joe Benson said.
Melissa Benson said she leaves the television duties to her father and brother.
A former correctional officer for Luzerne County, Melissa Benson joined the force on Dec. 19 after graduating from the police academy.
“I remember helping my dad when he was studying at the academy. I took a liking to the information. Then I saw how much my dad liked the job and then my brother took the job and I felt it was something I wanted to do, too,” Melissa Benson said.
Still a rookie, Melissa Benson said she relies on her father a lot for advice.
“I like it. I get to call my dad. He helps me out. Not only do I have someone to look up to but I have someone to call to help me with tough situations,” Melissa Benson said. “I think my dad is a great cop. I think the world of my dad. He’s my best friend. He’s always there for me.”
Prior to joining Wilkes-Barre police, Joe Benson was a full-time officer in Fairview Twp. Before that he served as a part-time officer in Ashley, Avoca and Pittston.
With more than a decade of law enforcement experience, Joe Benson said he believes his father is more protective of Melissa Benson being that she’s new.
Chris Benson, 57, was a heavy equipment operator before joining the department about 15 years ago.
Following years of service, he inspired a new generation of Bensons to follow in his footsteps.
“They pick on us constantly,” Melissa Benson said. “If we are all in the same room, they are like, ‘Oh my god, three Bensons.’ It’s a joke between everybody but in a good way.”
A self-described history buff, Chris Benson said the family plans to visit the Civil War battlefields of Gettysburg on Father’s Day.
Wilkes-Barre police Chief Joseph Coffay said it’s an honor to have the Bensons on the department.
“It’s a pleasure to have quality people on the department from a family with a long history of public service in law enforcement and in the military,” Coffay said.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown praised the public service of the Benson family.
“They are three very dedicated police officers. It’s turned into a family tradition, but it’s a wonderful tradition. Our police officers give up their personal time, their family time to protect our citizens,” Brown said. “Having three family members give of themselves like that, I am very proud of them. It shows the love that family has for the city.”
The Benson siblings aren’t the ones locally to follow their father into a law enforcement career. Others include Wilkes-Barre police officer Dan Duffy and his son, Connor, a sergeant for Hanover Twp. police; Courtdale Assistant Chief Greg Johnson Sr. and his son, Greg Jr., a sergeant on the force and full-time officer in Harveys Lake; and Nanticoke police Lt. Brian Williams and his son, Jacob, a Nanticoke patrol officer.
The Duffys
Officer Dan Duffy — Wilkes-Barre police
“Having a son follow in your footsteps, for any father, should bring a sense of pride. For me, having a son who is following in my footsteps, as a police officer, brings both a great sense of pride and honor. I got a chance to raise him, watch him grow, and along with my wife, managed to provide a solid foundation for him to find something he loves, at the same time, something truly worthwhile in this world. Now, to see him on the job making good decisions, working with him from time to time, and remaining proactive, I consider myself one of the luckiest fathers in the world.”
Sgt. Connor Duffy — Hanover Twp. police
“I saw the passion my father had for the job. I saw him excited to go to work every day and knew that’s what I wanted in life.”
The Johnsons
Assistant Chief Greg Johnson Sr. — Courtdale police
“It’s a great job to help people, especially in the town where you were born and raised. Having a son falling into the same line of work makes me proud.”
Sgt. Greg Johnson Jr. — Courtdale police / Harveys Lake police
“He was my role model growing up. That’s why I followed in his footsteps and I’m happy I made that decision.”
The Williamses
Lt. Brian Williams — Nanticoke police
“On one hand, it’s a little nervous. He’s my son and I don’t want anything to happen to him. But on the other hand I’m excited. Nanticoke is getting a good young man and a great police officer.”
Officer Jacob Williams — Nanticoke police
“I think I always looked at the profession as one of the most noble jobs an individual could pursue. My dad is the man I look up to. I was always proud to say that he was an officer and growing up that way, I hope I can instill that feeling in my children one day.”
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